To Love a Marquess (The Winters Sisters) (Regency Tales Book 21) Read online

  Table of Content

  PROLOGUE

  ONE

  TWO

  THREE

  FOUR

  FIVE

  SIX

  SEVEN

  EIGHT

  NINE

  TEN

  ELEVEN

  PREVIEW: THE ARRANGEMENT

  KEEP IN TOUCH!

  Copyright © Regina Darcy 2019

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  This is a contemporary work of fiction. All characters, names, places and events are the product of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously.

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  PROLOGUE

  Miss Ann Winters to Miss Caroline Winters

  London, MAYFAIR.

  Dear Caro,

  I hope this finds you well despite the horrendous circumstance that has befallen our family.

  I struggle between my sadness of what has befallen Beatrice and my joy at your engagement to the Earl of Stanway. Your encounter and engagement stirs the soul and leaves me hopeful that such a love match will be the outcome of my coming out this Season.

  I must confess that I already have lost my heart if not yet my reason to a particular gentleman.

  Please do not instantly reply to my missive with a tedious lecture on the matters of the heart. Especially once you find out whom it is.

  That said, I suspect you already know of what I am alluding to as Theresa is not one for keeping secret since her marriage to the Duke of Sotheby.

  Oh dear Caro, I pray that you understand. The very moment I saw the Marquess of Penderstone come to the rescue of our dear Beatrice months ago, my heart was lost. Surely this kind of courage and chivalry does not belong in the hands of a scoundrel or rogue?

  Be that as it may, I choose to believe that such is not the case. Surely my heart will not steer me false?

  Soon I shall have my debut. Theodora has planned it for the next couple of weeks. I am disappointed that you shall not be here to cheer me on, however I understand that you cannot step away from Beatrice’s company at the moment.

  I thank God that after 6 months of convalescence she has finally regained consciousness and pray daily that she shall also regain her memory. I cannot bear the thought that she not recognise me. I know you have already explained that it is only the last year of memory she has lost, but what if the memory loss spreads like a virus – I shudder at the thought!

  I apologise my dear Caro for rambling on. I fear my nerves are frayed as I shall shortly be making the Marquess’ acquaintance. I pray, he is all that I have imagined and that he notices me.

  Take care of our dear sister and of yourself. I look forward to meeting the Earl of Stanway upon your return to the capital.

  Your affectionate sister,

  A.Winters

  ONE

  Miss Ann Winters, the youngest of the four daughters of the Viscount of Lockley, was almost giddy with excitement. Her heart was fluttering, her hands pressed together in front of her as she let her gaze run across the room, trying to make out each and every gentleman as he walked by.

  Some had a lady on their arm, some were laughing with an acquaintance or two and some were simply wandering alone, looking for someone to become introduced to.

  Ann had her eyes and mind set on only one of them.

  “You must not be so overtly eager,” her sister Theodora, Duchess of Sotheby, murmured out of the corner of her mouth. “I know that you think very well of the Marquess, especially after what he did for Beatrice but he is by all account, something of a rake.”

  “That is nothing but a rumour, I am certain of it,” Ann replied, her green eyes sparkling with delight as she brushed a blonde curl from her forehead and back behind her ear. “I cannot tell you just how eager I am to see him again.”

  The way the Marquess had managed to grasp the bridle of Beatrice’s horse that had been spooked in Hyde Park had been nothing short of brilliant. In doing so, he had rescued her from what Ann was certain would have been a most dreadful accident.

  It was unfortunate that this did not prevent Beatrice’s mishap. Ann grimaced at the memory. Beatrice, clumsy as she was, had thumped her head when she fell out of the carriage, when it was already at a standstill no less.

  But Ann’s admiration for the Marquess had taken on epic proportions since that moment and she had waited patiently for this moment.

  They were finally to be formally introduced.

  Her hands were sweating, despite the gloves she wore. She bit her lower lip. It was proving impossible to steady her erratic pulse.

  This was the opportunity she had been waiting for. She knew well enough that you only had one chance to make a first impression.

  “It is most fortunate that your husband is acquainted with him,” she breathed, her hand clasping tightly to Theodora’s. “And that you also know of him.”

  “I have been introduced to him, yes, but I have only found myself greeting him on one or two occasions,” Theodora replied, warning in her voice. “You must not allow your admiration of him to overwhelm your good sense, Ann. You must be able to consider his character carefully and allow all that is said about him to linger in your heart and mind. Otherwise, I fear that your desire to become well acquainted with him will turn to nought.”

  Ann did not listen, for her eyes had finally caught sight of the gentleman that had occupied her thoughts for so long.

  The Marquess of Penderstone.

  Her heart thumped furiously in her chest and she made to take a step forward, only for her sister to hold her back.

  “Good gracious, Ann,” Theodora said in a furious hiss. “Do you wish for everyone to know of what you are thinking? Do you wish to make a fool of yourself in front of him before your first meeting?”

  Heat rushed into Ann’s cheeks as her sister’s warnings hit home. She had been about to act without consideration and given that this was to be her introduction to the gentleman, she could not afford to make a cake of herself.

  “Do be patient,” Theodora continued, a little more quietly. “Look, Sotheby has gone to speak to him at this very moment. He will be with us soon.”

  Ann found her breath catching as the Duke gestured towards her and the Marquess of Penderstone looked in her direction. For a moment, their eyes met and, at that moment, Ann felt her wildest dreams suddenly bursting into life.

  The Marquess was tall, broad-shouldered and carried himself with the gravitas that came with being a member of the peerage. His dark hair gleamed in the candle-lights. He was clean shaven and his Nordic blue eyes were bright with interest as he looked towards her again.

  Ann, swallowed hard. It seemed she had run out of saliva. She could barely breathe, one hand pressed to her chest as she waited for them both to draw near.

  Greeting him was the most wonderful thing that had ever happened to her, Ann thought. She was certain that she had greeted him warmly, but looking into his eyes, she found that she could not quite recall what she had said. Praying that she had not been incoherent, she looked towards Theodora for a moment and saw that her sister was smiling, looking at the Marquess as he spoke.

  Aware that she should do the same, Ann returned her attention to the Marquess, who
was now looking away from her. Her heart sank in her chest as she quickly placed a smile on her face, hoping to catch his eye again.

  “I have heard that you are recently engaged, Penderstone,” the Duke of Sotheby began, making Ann’s eyes widen in shock and her smile immediately begin to fade. “Although I confess I believe it to be nothing more than a rumour. Never have I met someone who is more of a confirmed bachelor than you, my dear Marquess.” He chuckled at this and, much to Ann’s relief, the Marquess also laughed, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

  “It is not the first time such a rumour has been circulated,” the Marquess began, throwing a glance towards Ann that had her delighting in his smile. “It is one of the difficulties that come with being a gentleman of both title and fortune, I fear. The gossip mongers have nought to do but to make up stories about you.”

  “That must be very trying for you my lord,” Ann said, breathlessly, her eyes fixed upon his. “To know that they are constantly whispering about you.”

  To her surprise, the Marquess merely shrugged.

  “I confess that I do not often think about it,” he replied, rather blandly. “It is easiest simply to ignore such things altogether. I am not a gentleman willing to engage with such dullness.”

  Ann nodded, feeling as though she had been left stranded, unable to think of something else to say now that he had made his feelings on the matter more than clear. Instead, she simply remained standing beside her sister, smiling incessantly, as the Marquess turned his attention back to the Duke.

  “I must say, however, there are a good many young debutantes being introduced to society this Season,” he continued, without even glancing at Ann again.

  “I suppose one might catch my eye – although I am more inclined to favour my bachelorhood at the present!”

  “Another benefit of being both titled and wealthy,” the Duke replied, dryly, throwing a glance at his wife that told Ann that the Duke was not particularly pleased with the Marquess’ comments.

  “I do hope that you have an enjoyable Season, Penderstone.”

  The Marquess said nothing more but nodded, smiled briefly and then turned away, clearly bringing an end to their conversation. Ann felt her spirits sink low as he left her side, feeling as though their first introduction had not gone as well as she had hoped.

  “So now you have met the Marquess of Penderstone,” her sister murmured, as she drew closer to Ann. “He is not everything you expect, I suspect.”

  Ann did not speak for a moment or two, watching him depart from her and wondering if there was something more she could have done to catch his eye.

  “It was all entirely my fault,” she said to Theodora, in a quiet but firm voice. “I did not speak as well as I could have and certainly did not give him my full attention.”

  Throwing her sister a quick smile, she drew in a long breath and let it out slowly.

  “I am quite determined that I shall capture his affections before long.”

  Theodora did not look to be particularly pleased with this suggestion, throwing Ann a warning look before returning her gaze to her husband, who was also shaking his head.

  “I do not think that the Marquess would be a suitable match for you, Ann. After all, this is your debut and the aim is to secure a match that not only will provide wealth, but also, provide and protect you as the precious sister that you are to me,” she said, gently, reminding Ann that she was here in London and enjoying all of London society for a reason.

  Theodora had provided her with almost everything she would need for the Season, including an entirely new wardrobe, but Ann had chosen everything with only one gentleman in mind.

  She clenched her fists. As much as she loved and respected Theodora, Ann knew that she could not simply turn her back on the Marquess of Penderstone. He had stolen her heart and she could not give it to any other now that she had been introduced to him.

  “Who is that?” she asked sharply, her brow furrowing as she watched the Marquess join with a lady who was dressed in the highest fashions, her dark red gown cut lower than Ann would have thought respectable.

  The Marquess appeared to be a good deal more at ease in this lady’s company, laughing and smiling with her almost from the moment they joined together.

  Ann’s stomach twisted upon seeing the light in the Marquess’ expression. She now realised she would have to fight if she wanted to secure her heart’s desire. When her competition had been other debutants she had been sure that he would be unable to resist her eventually. But how could she compete with such a lady as this?

  The woman was confident and strikingly beautiful with her dark curls, flashing blue eyes and full lips. Ann was flaxen-haired and green-eyed and, whilst she knew she was considered an English Rose, she shrunk into the shadows when compared to this particular lady. The woman was clearly an incomparable beauty.

  “That is Lady Serena Hedley,” the Duke muttered, his expression a little dark as he let his gaze linger upon both her and the Marquess. “It is rumoured that she used to be the mistress of the Prince Regent, but that has never been confirmed.”

  “Sotheby!” Theodora chided her husband, clearly thinking that Ann did not need to know of such things, but Ann simply threw the Duke a quick smile of gratitude and then returned her attention to the Marquess and Lady Hedley.

  “She is a widow,” Theodora continued. “And a wealthy one to boot. Lord Hedley was a good deal older than she and died only six months after they were wed.”

  Ann swallowed hard.

  “I see,” she replied, softly, hardly able to imagine the Marquess becoming enamoured with a widow but yet witnessing with worry the ease of his manner with the lady.

  “It is,” the Duke said, somewhat gruffly, “another reason why mayhap the Marquess is not worth your consideration, Ann. There are many other respectable and worthy gentlemen who will seek to capture your attention. It may be worth considering them also.”

  Ann dragged her eyes away from the Marquess and looked first at the Duke and then at her sister, watching them both looking back at her with concern. She knew that they were being wise in their suggestions and in their worry about her fixation with the Marquess, but neither of them could see her heart. Neither of them could see the longing that tugged at her soul, leaving her almost breathless whenever she caught sight of the gentleman.

  “No,” she said, slowly, watching Theodora’s face fall. “I shall do what I can to draw the Marquess’ attention and, if nothing comes of it, then I can say that I have, at the very least, done my utmost in attempting to satisfy my heart’s desire.” She shrugged, looking back towards the gentleman in question.

  “If I fail, if he does not so much as glance at me, then I shall do as you have suggested, Your Grace, and allow my affections to be caught by another.” She smiled at Theodora, wishing there was a way to satisfy her sister’s concern.

  “Will that be suitable, Theodora? You will, at least, allow me the opportunity to do what I can when it comes to securing the Marquess’ affections?”

  Theodora drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, looking at Ann carefully. With another quick glance towards her husband, she finally nodded, although her expression did not look to be cheerful in any way.

  “I suppose that I cannot unduly withhold my consent,” she agreed, making Ann beam with delight. “Although do be careful, sister dearest. You must always act with propriety, no gentleman worth his salt seeks matrimony with a woman who has no regard for her own worth. Besides, the rumours about the Marquess may be true and I should not like you to be caught up in any sort of scandal.”

  Ann nodded, trying not to show the extent of her exuberance on her face.

  “I shall do my very best to be prudent in my pursuit of his affections,” she promised, her hands clasping tight in front of her. “Thank you, Theodora.”

  TWO

  

  Miss ANN Winters to Miss CAROLINE Winters

  Mayfair. London.

  Dear Car
o,

  I know you have not had the opportunity to provide an answer to my first missive, but I cannot help but write to you again. There is no-one here I can share my hopes and dreams with. Theodora only indulges me – I know deep inside she thinks I have lost my marbles somewhat.

  Love and destiny are surely intertwined. My heart knows the truth of it. But my mind frets over the fact that we are halfway through the Season and I have only had a small modicum of success in catching the Marquess’ interest. But I am not giving up.

  I know there is something between us.

  I think I caught him staring at me at my debut ball. Could it be? I certainly hope so. My heart aches for him.

  I shall not be dissuaded. No I shall be bolder.

  I am sure there is a ball in the next couple of days that will offer me that opportunity.

  I must make haste, the maid shall soon arrive to arrange my hair. Truth be told I am not looking forward to tonight’s soiree as the Marquess will not be attending, but Theresa insists that I keep up appearances.

  Your exhausted sister,

  A.Winters

  ***

  Charles Forester, the Marquess of Penderstone, smiled satisfactorily to himself as he walked into the townhouse of Lord Henstridge. The room was filled with a motley crowd and he knew almost immediately that he would have an enjoyable evening.

  The London Season was always one to enjoy and he knew that he would have no end of entertainment this evening, given that Lord Henstridge’s soirees were well known to be particularly jolly occasions. The man always had excellent wine, the best brandy on offer, and with exceptional entertainment always ready to amuse the gathered crowd, Charles found himself looking forward to what was to come.